RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) – Localized heavy rain in parts of North Carolina may ease demand for water used outdoors, but it has not significantly improved the state’s drought conditions, officials said.
Nine counties around the Triangle and eastern Triad remained in exceptional drought, the most severe category, in updated classifications released Thursday by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council. Brunswick County is among those counties in exceptional drought.
Another 46 counties were listed in extreme drought, 31 in severe drought and 14 in moderate drought, the council said.
“Parts of the Triangle saw more than 4 inches of rain this past week, but to substantially improve our drinking water supplies, it has to rain upstream of the reservoirs,” said Linwood Peele, supervisor of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources Water Supply Planning Branch.
Areas around Raleigh and Charlotte recorded 4 to 5 inches of precipitation over seven days, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, while other parts of the state received none or less than a tenth of an inch.
Areas around Raleigh and Charlotte recorded 4 to 5 inches of precipitation over seven days, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, while other parts of the state received none or less than a tenth of an inch.
Reservoirs statewide remain below normal, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Peele said the rain can reduce outdoor water use, but refilling reservoirs will take time.
Rainfall totals are more than 23 inches below average in Wilmington, more than 22 inches below average in Boone and more than 15 inches below average in Raleigh, according to the NC State Climate Office. Streamflow and groundwater levels are also below normal — and at record lows in parts of the state, the office said.
Water systems in exceptional or extreme drought are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plans, report weekly water use and conservation status to the Division of Water Resources and encourage residents to follow local restrictions.
“If a water system is asking people to cut back on nonessential water use, they should listen,” Peele said. “This is something we have to conserve our way out of.”
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